Sitting here on this humid Mobile morning, I have been blessed with some time to spend in the Word learning some new truth. Yes, there is still new stuff in there for me to learn. There are also some things that I knew once but needed to be reminded.

Also, I had the privilege of praying for some folks who are struggling today: friend undergoing her first chemo for breast cancer, cousin who is dying of pancreatic cancer, and praying for my family and for my church.

God speaks so much during these times. I should do it more often. You should do it more often. There it is: a challenge. That is the reason I’m writing.

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks working on 12 devotionals on obedience that will be used in student Sunday School materials. The instructions are many but two have my full attention: relevant and challenging. I’ve been told to make the devotionals relevant and challenging. I’ll write and then read what I wrote asking: “Are they relevant and challenging?” The instructions tell me much more but this is the heart. If a 14 year old boy picks up his quarterly and attempts to complete a devotional, will he find it relevant and challenging? Pray for me--this can be a life-changing assignment that will impact many people. I don’t say this to pat myself on the back but to remind myself that this just isn’t another writing assignment. It is a God-given task to use my gift for His glory.

Now, are you using your gifts for His glory?

I read some statistics recently put out by LifeWay listing the top ten reasons people come to church. By far and away, the number one reason is that someone they knew invited them. Wow! I’m so glad I read that to learn of this bold new idea. Wait a minute. . . People come to church because someone they knew invited them.

Let’s think about that for a moment. If we know the truth of God’s unconditional love. How He sent His son to die for us so that we can have forgiveness of our sin. Then He rose again and gives us the promise of eternal life. That is true. All of it. Now imagine living a life without that truth. They may not even know who Jesus is.

I read an article recently where a man related an incident where a mom was asked by her son. “Who is that guy on the plus sign?” The mom brought her son to church for an answer. Jesus, on the cross; such a powerful image that is recognized worldwide over spans of time, and this little boy doesn’t know who He is.

You know, we can plan another Friend Day at church. We’ve had them in the past. We can do another Be the Church Day (we’ll do both in the near future), we have revival meetings in a copule of weeks, but do we do the simple task of inviting people we know to come to church? Don’t rely on “the church” to do the evangelism. Just tell people what happened to you and then invite them. It’s okay if they don’t come--the response isn’t our responsibility. Just obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit when He says “talk to them.” I challenge you. It is so relevant.